The others received this in silence. Roy looked up the river toward the starting-point of the race almost two miles distant. But the glare made it impossible to discern even the little gathering of boats, and he turned away blinking. “Just think,” said Chub presently, “in another week we three fellows will be scattered to the four winds of heaven.” “Now whose head needs soaking?” asked Dick. “‘Four winds of heaven!’ My, but you are poetical!” “I don’t just see how we’re going to manage that,” Roy laughed. “How can three fellows be distributed over four winds?” “Oh, you run away and play,” answered Chub, good-naturedly. “You know what I mean.” “It isn’t so bad for you fellows,” said Dick mournfully. “You’ll see each other again at college in the fall; but I’ll be here all alone.” “All alone, with half a hundred other chaps,” Chub amended smilingly. “That’s not the same thing,” said Dick. “Just when you go and get kind of chummy with some one, why then something comes along and busts it all up.” “Vague but beautiful,” murmured Chub. “Why don’t you come to college too, Dick?” “Me? Thunder, I’d never pass the exams!” “Oh, I don’t know. They’re not so fierce; Roy expects to get by.” “I’m not so sure that I do expect it,” answered Roy, seriously. “The nearer the time comes to take them the more scared I get.” “That’s just your natural modesty,” said Chub. “You’ll get through with flying colors, while I--well, I’ll probably be like the chap whose mother was crowing about him. Some one asked her if her son passed the examinations for college. ‘Oh, yes, indeed,’ she answered, ‘Willie did beautifully. He entered with four conditions, one more than any one else had!’” “I might be able to get in that way,” laughed Dick. “But, say, you chaps, I wish we weren’t going to split up so soon.” “So do I,” answered Roy. “I’m real sorry at leaving Ferry Hill. I’ve had some bully times here during the last two years.” “Well, I’ve only been here six months or so,” said Dick; “but I’ve had the time of my life. And of course I’ve got you fellows to thank for that, you and Harry together. I wish--I wish I was going to see you this summer for a while.” “Well, why not?” asked Chub, eagerly. “Dad wants me to go over to London and stay with him,” answered Dick. “I hate London. Folks are so stupid there, and can’t talk decent English. Last time I was there I couldn’t make anybody understand what I wanted.” “Well, you’ve dropped some of your more picturesque expressions since you came up here,” laughed Roy. “Maybe this time you can make yourself understood.” “What I’d like to do,” Dick continued, “is to stay right here and--” “Where?” asked Chub, innocently. “On Fox Island?” “Well, somewhere around these diggings,” answered Dick. “A chap might do worse than spend a time on this old island,” said Roy, as he leaned back against the trunk of a birch-tree and smiled contentedly. “It’s a dandy camping place.” “That’s it!” cried Dick.